Big Breakthroughs for V2’s Winning Entrepreneurs

It was a night of firsts and a time to seize the moment. An opportunity to share a business idea that started as a personal dream and, in exchange for hard work and countless revisions, a chance to receive a significant reward and important validation.

That was the scenario for eight student entrepreneur team finalists who presented their idea before expert angel investors and a live audience April 28 in the fifth annual Venture Vetting (V2) Pitch Competition at University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre. A total of $100,000 was available — $50,000 in prize money for four University of San Diego teams and $50,000 in money and in-kind services for four binational teams.

While it was quite a night for everyone involved, the biggest financial winners were USD student businesses Tech Meets Trader, Folded Color and Lacy and binational companies Agrosol, Napanga and FXR.

“It’s huge”, said Warren Lorenz, a junior finance major in USD’s School of Business, who delivered a confident seven-minute pitch for Tech Meets Trader, a free social community for stocks and options investors, and, along with partner Al Frimpong, received the top award of $25,000.

“It allows us the capital to provide more resources, hire a developer to work alongside us,” Lorenz said. Self-promoted as “The Facebook of Stocks” and incorporated eight months ago, Lorenz said Tech Meets Trader being a V2 finalist and, in what was his first live pitch for the company, getting the end result was a significant step forward.

“We put a lot of time and effort into it. We knew being in V2 would be a great opportunity. V2 is a credential now and we can use that validation as a stepping stone.”

USD Track Winners

$25,000 TECH MEETS TRADER is a free social community for stocks and options investors. We make it easy to capitalize on investment opportunities and learn from experienced traders. Our network allows investors to share their trades and ideas in a fluid and organized manner. As an investor, you can share your entry and exit points, provide supporting analysis, make new friends, and manage emotions with the help of others. Making money with other investors has never been easier.

$8,000 — BIO LACY LACY believes people should have access to simple, improved solutions to help care for our cherished belongings. The LACY bra washing machine is the only way to appropriately wash bras and delicates. Our washing machine is set apart by patent pending design that carefully protects bras and delicates from the damage they normally endure during traditional washing methods. The LACY team believes that when women create solutions to problems they experience, it is a formula for success. Bras work hard – they deserve better.

$2,000 — LIKE CATS AND DOGS produces pet toys that are safe and fun for both cats and dogs. Cat toys are too small and not sturdy enough for dogs who tend to destroy cat toys or potentially swallow them. For 17 % of Americans who own both cats and dogs, we reduce consumer spending on different types of toys and provide one solution that meets the cats’ need for a light toy that can be chased and the dogs’ need for a sturdy toy that can be chewed on.

Bi-National Track Winners

$20,000 — AGROSOL is a project that offers a fertilization, fumigation and geographical scanning system performed by drones. In AGROSOL we strongly believe in the innovation of new technologies that open the doors for the international market in our country.

[$10,000 in cash; $10,000 BIT Center Office Space]

$14,000 — NAPANGA is a specialty beer brewer.

[$12,000 in kind with Mind Hub; $2,000 PR exposure]

$12,000 — FXR is quick and reliable app to request certified professional services for home repair and maintenance.

[$2,000 PR exposure SanDiegoRed; $10,000 BIT Center Office Space]

$4,000 — BAJA SAVER is a new concept to generate our own clean and cheap energy, 100% self-sufficient in operation, more effective than wind and solar systems, a better return on investment and small as a home refrigerator. We don’t pollute, save money and have energy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!!!